All Credit to The Telegraph

The Independent on Sunday has been credited with an award from publishing industry professionals.

The British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies (BAPLA) presented the award – Credit Where Credit is Due – at its annual Picture Buyers’ Fair at London’s Business Design Centre.

BAPLA’s chief executive Linda Royles said: “For the second year running, the Daily Telegraph has shown that it recognises the efforts and skills of fellow professionals by crediting their pictures and images.

“Many agency photographers and freelancers risk life and limb, for example in front-line duties, supplying the media with material they otherwise would not get. It’s only fair and proper that their work should be acknowledged.”

BAPLA surveys all picture usage in the UK media, tracking images and noting whether they have been correctly credited. Under the Copyright and Design and Patents acts, it is a moral requirement to acknowledge sources of material.

Their 2007-2008 survey reveals that the correct accreditation of images in national newspapers is increasing, from 35.6 per cent to 45.7 per cent.

The Telegraph won this year’s award by crediting 69 per cent of its bought-in images. Second was The Times, with 67 per cent, and third The Independent with 66 per cent.

Red-top tabloids were again the lowest in the ranks of national newspapers, with The Sun crediting only nine per cent of outsourced photographs, but this was an increase from five per cent in the previous survey.

Royles said: “In many cases, images may make up 40 per cent of news and features content in print. Without the services our members provide, the media and publishing could not possibly operate effectively.”

The Picture Buyers’ Fair runs from May 7 to May 8. More than 150 agencies and libraries will be exhibiting at the annual fest for picture editors and photographers, researchers, and picture buyers.

Free seminars will be held for picture professionals. Subjects include copyright law, and rights and current market trends. Speakers will include Ayperi Ecer, Vice President of Picture Development at Reuters, Rebecca Swift, Getty Images Global Creative Planning Director, publishing law expert Rupert Grey, and Publishers Association Chief Executive Simon Juden.

Registered visitors also receive a free copy of BAPLA’s Directory listing all of its 400-plus members.